Long Scale Bass
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RotoSound Solo Bass Stainless Pressuse Wound String Set Long Scale 45-105
US $19.50
D’Addario EXL165 4 Nickel Electric Bass Strings Long Scale 45-105
US $14.94
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How much difference does scale length make to how well an electric deals with non-standard tuning?
I’ve heard they come in short (30″) and long (34″) scales. I’m tempted toward the short scale cos i have relatively small hands, compared to most bass players i have encounterred, but i have been told that the 34″ sound better. However i have also been told that shorter scale instruments cope better with odd tuning, something which interests me. Are short scale ones easier to find, is the price much difference?
Instruments tend to have a personality of their own. I own two SGs, not the exact same model of SG but you’d think they’d behave a lot alike. One thrives on drop tuning, the other hates it. So one I keep mostly in 440, the other I use for drop tunings.
The short scale bass is a trade off. Your getting a faster fretboard but your taking some of the thunder out of your bass. If your looking for brighter mids the short scale if it has good pickups is going to be what your looking for. If the action is good your going to be faster on the short scale and it’s a whole lot easier on the shoulder during a marathon jam session. Many don’t weigh too much more than a guitar. What you give up is on the low end. A long scale bass is going to sound deeper.
Took a gander on musiciansfriend.com and they had 2 shortscales that looked decent. The Dan Electro and the Ibenez. Both were inexpensive. Haven’t played one in years but used to play a short scale lots about 15 years ago. I liked the really fast fretboard and I was playing alot of what would later be called Progressive Rock.
On odd tunings, a setup is going to be really important. Especially on drop tunings. You might also if you can afford it multiple basses with multiple tunings geared to what your trying to do with specific songs. The last 10 years if I’m playing guitar I carry 3. One in standard tuning, one in a drop tuning and an emergency spare. When I’m playing bass I bring two, one in standard with the old school deep sound, and a really fast bass that growls and purrs and loves drop tunings.
I wouldn’t really say short scales are better at odd tunings, some odd tunings yes. The long scale bass is going to handle the heavier gauge strings better, the short scale is going to handle lighter gauge strings better. Your pickups and setup are going to play a big role with either bass. So too is your EQ. Odd tunings usually mean playing with your EQ and effects if you use any.
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